LEGION BASEBALL: Greencastle falters late against McConnellsburg

GREENCASTLE — Through four innings, Greencastle was well-positioned to play spoiler in Tuesday's Franklin County American Legion League baseball game against McConnellsburg.

And then, as they have too many times this summer, the untimely mistakes began to mount.

By committing three two-out errors, Greencastle watched a previously tied contest vanish into an 8-3, McConnellsburg victory, bringing Post 373's season to a close in difficult fashion.

With the win, McConnellsburg booked a date against Fayetteville tonight in a one-game playoff to decide which team will represent Franklin County in Saturday's Region IV tournament.

Of Post 561's eight runs, five came across following an error, including four of McConnellsburg's final five in the fifth and sixth to pull away late.

Early on, Greencastle appeared poised to exchange blows, taking an early 1-0 lead before McConnellsburg answered with two in the top of the second and another in the third.

A sacrifice fly from Ashtin Byers drew Post 373 to within one in the home half of the third prior to a leadoff double and stolen base by Eli Englehart followed by an RBI-groundout from Wayne Kline knotting the game at 3-3 in the fourth.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, a routine fly ball was dropped in fair territory, allowing Kyle Scheon, who had reached on a double, to score all the way from second for a 4-3 McConnellsburg advantage.

Back-to-back doubles by Zane Baker and Jesse Swope extended Post 561's lead to begin the sixth before consecutive put outs seemingly had Greencastle in position to keep the deficit at two.

A catcher's interference and a pair of McConnellsburg singles ensued, with both being misplayed in the outfield, suddenly transforming a potential bases-loaded situation into a five-run deficit.

Despite getting men on in both the sixth and seventh, Greencastle was unable to rally, ultimately finishing the season at 7-13 overall.

Kurt Hansen accounted for three of Greencastle's six hits on the day with Hunter Szaflarski and Elijah Webster also contributing singles in the loss.

Baker paced McConnellsburg with his 3-for-5 performance, including two doubles and a triple.

Casey Wade picked up the pitching victory, going six innings while allowing five hits and two earned runs.

Kline was credited with the loss, although only three of McConnellsburg's six runs scored during his five innings of work were earned.

Today's winner-take-all contest between Post 561 and Fayetteville, who beat Waynesboro 5-0 in a playoff on Tuesday, will begin at 6 p.m. at Greene Township Park in Scotland.